Oops: alcohol-free beer tastes just like the real thing

An alcohol-free beer that tastes just like the real thing?

No such luck. Just a labelling error.

More than 2,500 cases of Steinlager beer were recalled in New Zealand earlier this month after bottles containing alcohol were incorrectly labelled as alcohol free, drinks business reported.

The recall followed a consumer complaint that uncovered a production error at Lion NZ.

Authorities warned consumers avoiding alcohol not to drink the product and to return it for a refund.

Lion NZ issued a recall of Steinlager Ultra Low Carb beer after the bottles containing alcohol were incorrectly labelled as alcohol free.

The affected batch consisted of 2,538 cases. Each case contains 24 bottles of 330ml with a best-before date of October 21, 2026.

In a statement, a Lion NZ spokesperson said: “We have identified through a consumer complaint, an error in a production run resulting in clear bottles containing Steinlager Ultra Low Carb beer ABV 4.2% incorrectly labelled as Steinlager Alcohol Free, being sold in Steinlager Ultra Low Carb 24 packs. 

"Cases may contain a mix of clear bottles with labels for both products.

“Consumer safety is our highest priority, and we want to sincerely apologise to customers and consumers for any distress or concern caused."

New Zealand's Ministry for Primary emphasised the recall did not affect any other Steinlager brand products.

Moo Brew set to celebrate 20 years of artisanal beers

Long before there was MONA, there was Moo Brew.

Moo Brew, the oldest and largest craft brewery in Tasmania, will celebrate turning 20 later this month.

With two specially-brewed limited release beers on offer and a party at MONA, beer lovers will be able to raise a glass to two decades of brewing led by MONA supremo David Walsh.

Walsh founded Moo Brew when he discovered a bottle he liked and wanted something to put in it.

The brewery was established in Berriedale at Moorilla Estate in 2005 - several years before Walsh’s museum opened its doors - later moving to their purpose-built home in Bridgewater.

In 2023 the team opened Manky Sally’s in Salamanca, a taphouse and nano-brewery boasting tiny tanks and an oversized attitude.

Moo Brew returns to MONA on Saturday, November 22, taking over the lawns to celebrate its r birthday with the help of the museum’s chef Vince Trim and an all-Tassie music line-up, There will then be a "riotous" after party at Manky Sally’s.

The two new limited-release beers, brewed to mark 20 years, are the Single Hop Tassie Pale Ale and Belgian Golden Strong Ale, brewed by all three of Moo Brew’s former and current head brewers: Owen Johnston (2005-2014), Dave MacGill (2014-2020) and Jack Viney (2020-present).

The Single Hop was re-released this week with the Belgian Strong Ale following on November 27.

The beers will be available in good bottle shops and venues around Tasmania and via Moo Brew’s website. Both will be available to Mona and Manky Sally’s imbibers on November 22 as part of the birthday celebrations.

Moo Brew Head Brewer Jack Viney says: 'It's not often a craft brewery makes it to 20 years, and it’s testament to the enduring love of Moo Brew - and the efforts of the people behind it -that we’re able to pull this off.

"Getting together with our former head brewers was so special, and we’re thrilled to present a traditional Belgian-style beer (a nod to David's beer cellar) in the OG bottle, as well as the much beloved Single Hop tallboy."

Birthday celebrations from 12pm–4:30pm at MONA will feature games, giveaways, flame-grilled lawn food from the Heavy Metal Kitchen, and a stout and oyster bar.

Beers and merch available via www.moobrew.com.au.

Change brewing on the Sydney beer scene

 

Big changes are brewing in Sydney's inner west with the White Bay Brewhouse and taproom to be re-branded as Sydney Brewery Rozelle from October 1, Winsor Dobbin reports.

Hotelier Dr Jerry Schwartz, owner of Sydney Brewery, has announced that he will purchase the brewing assets and long-term lease the White Bay Brewing site in Rozelle, with the added capacity enabling the company to launch new product lines and expand its Sydney bar presence.

White Bay Brewery will consolidate its brewing operations at its large-scale brewery in Reservoir, Melbourne.

The White Bay brewery operates in a 150-year-old former steel mill on the edge of Sydney Harbour, near the new Sydney Fish Market building.

The taproom and Kitchen offer fresh beer, food, and a buzzy, working brewery ambience.

Sydney Brewery’s new venue follows its takeover earlier this year of the Rocks Brewery and Brewhouse in Alexandria, which has been rebranded as Sydney Brewery Alexandria.

Sydney Brewery also operates a Brewhouse in Surry Hills and a large-scale brewing facility in the Hunter Valley.

The Rozelle brewery will add 25% extra capacity for Sydney Brewery, and the additional capacity will enable Sydney Brewery to launch its first low-carb and non-alcoholic beers.

Schwartz said that the acquisition of the White Bay brewing assets and public tap room fitted perfectly with Sydney Brewery’s DNA and expansion strategy.

“Taking over the lease of the Rozelle brewery was a no brainer for us,” he said.

“The Sydney Brewery history is based around reflecting Sydney’s distinctive collection of ‘villages’ and we have been looking for suitable venues to expand Sydney Brewery’s bar presence across the city while also gaining access to greater production capacity.

“The inner west is a very discerning beer market, and we look forward to showcasing Sydney Brewery’s award-winning range of beers and ciders to the inner west community.

“The extra capacity provided by the Rozelle site will allow us to achieve our goal of expanding our range of beers and ciders, including the launch of low-carb and non-alcoholic beers. For the zero-alcohol beer, we have invested in a reverse osmosis machine, which will extract the alcohol from the brewed product.

“In a further diversification of our product, we will launch our canned water range, Can Do, offering plain, sparkling, and flavoured waters in 330ml cans.

“The rebranding to Sydney Brewery Rozelle is a win-win solution for the venue, the Rozelle community, and the Sydney craft beer sector, which has been going through challenging times in recent years.

“We will also tap into a new era for the region with the arrival of the new Sydney Fish Market, which is set to shine an even more intense light on the region as it becomes a prime foodie and tourist destination.”

Coopers goes the zero alcohol route

Cult Adelaide brewery Coopers has just released its first no alcohol beer 

Coopers Brewery says its new non-alcoholic beer - Coopers Zero - is designed “to quench the growing thirst
for ‘beer/life balance’ among health-conscious Australian drinkers”.

Packaged in a silver can, Coopers Zero is the latest permanent addition to the Australian family brewery’s portfolio since Coopers Australian Lager was unveiled in 2023. 

 No or lower alcohol (NOLO) is the fastest-growing beer category in Australia, now exceeding light beer in volume and retail value, market research firm Circana says. 

Appealing to health-conscious drinkers, Coopers Zero contains only 49 calories per 375ml can with all the flavour of a full-strength beer, minus the alcohol. 

Coopers managing director Michael Shearer said Coopers Zero would impress drinkers seeking an alternative to full or mid-strength beer.

“More and more Australians want a beer/life balance,” he said.

“We set out to develop and deliver a great-tasting, full flavoured beer to cater for Australians seeking to lower their alcohol intake or switch up their drinking habits.

“Coopers has a proven track record in low alcohol beer and we’ve drawn upon this experience and our 163 years of brewing heritage to create Coopers Zero.

“Our brewing team were determined not to compromise on the renowned quality and taste of a Coopers beer.

“The result is a refreshing, easy-drinking beer with moderate bitterness – a non-alcoholic option brewed in the traditional style and which suits all drinking occasions.”

Coopers Zero will be available nationally in 375ml cans from this month. 

Pub thieves think Clarkson's glasses are top gear

When you are a celebrity with a pub you are apparently fair game for souvenir hunters.

Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has described the theft of branded pint glasses from his pub as “worse than galling”.

Clarkson owns the The Farmer’s Dog in Burford, Oxfordshire, producing Hawkstone beers. He has pleaded with libationists to stop their larcenous ways.

Clarkson revealed that on one day last week 104 pint glasses “went missing”, which was making it harder for the pub to turn a profit, website the drinks business reported.

“People seem to have it in their heads that if they come in for a pint they are entitled to go home with the glass in which it was served,” he said.

“Last Sunday 104 [pint glasses] went missing. And that cost must be added to the £100 a day we spend on fuel for the generator, the £400 a week it costs to provide warmth on the terrace and the £27,000 a month we must spend on parking and traffic marshals to keep the council off our back.”

Some of the Hawkstone-branded pint glasses have already appeared on ebay.

To dissuade thieving tipplers from pocketing his glasses, Clarkson has resorted to printing new beer mats featuring his face and the words: “Jeremy is watching. Don’t steal his pint glasses!”

Clarkson’s pub is located just 15 kilometres away from the motoring journalist’s Diddly Squat Farm.

New beer is a little ray of sunshine

 

Hotels under the Holiday Inn Express banner have signed a deal to serve an exclusive new Express Pale Ale beer, made collaboratively with Local Brewing Co.

The new brew was launched at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast's new rooftop bar.

Eight Holiday Inn Express hotels across Australia: Sunshine Coast, Brisbane Central, Melbourne Southbank, Melbourne Little Collins, Sydney Airport, Sydney Macquarie Park, Newcastle and Adelaide City will be the only places pouring the beer.

Proceeds from every beer sold will go towards meals for those facing food insecurity, through Local Brewing Co.’s charity partner, SecondBite.

Open to guests and locals Thursdays and Fridays 3pm-8pm and Saturdays 1pm-8pm, the new rooftop bar and pool is the highest on the Sunshine Coast, overlooking Maroochydore city.

The bar is the latest addition to the new-build Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast, opened in mid-2022, complementing its 181 guest rooms and suites.

“Sustainability and giving back to local communities are core focuses for our Holiday Inn Express hotels,” said cluster GM Daniel Lawder.

“Our refreshing, very drinkable new and exclusive Express Pale Ale not only tastes great, it also supports Australians doing it tough at the moment."

For a limited time, the hotels will also serve up Local Brewing Co.’s seasonal Citrus Hazy Pale, a sustainable beer brewed using day-old bread and surplus fruit sourced from supermarkets, which would otherwise have gone to landfill.

For more information on Holiday Inn Express hotels, visit https://www.proinvesthotels.com/brands/hiex.

Felons crew brewing big plans for Manly

Brisbane craft brewer Felons Brewing Co. is expanding to Sydney.

Felons will be taking over Manly Wharf Bar from Friday, October 18.

Since taking ownership of Manly Wharf in April, Artemus Group, the group behind Brisbane’s acclaimed Howard Smith Wharves, has been re-creating the waterfront precinct as a vibrant hub for community and culture.

Felons Brewing Co. will serve as a central feature of the Wharf’s revitalised experience.

“We’re excited to unveil Felons’ new home at Manly Wharf,” said Adam Flaskas, co-founder and director of Artemus Group. “Our vision for Manly Wharf has always been to create a dynamic, community-focused destination, that fuses dining, and entertainment and raises the bar on hospitality.”

Paul Henry, co-founder and director of Artemus Group, added: “As a Sydney boy, I have had many fun times on the Northern Beaches. Manly is the gateway to our famous city, and truly special, where the ocean meets the harbour.

“Felons is a special beer, to be enjoyed with friends and fun times. I am excited and indeed honoured to be involved in the revitalisation of the iconic Manly Wharf and to bring our beloved Felons brewery to its new home in Sydney.”

Felons Brewing Co. was established by Adam Flaskas and Paul Henry alongside CEO Luke Fraser; brand director Dean Romeo; and brewery director Tom Champion.

Collectively, they have over 75 years of brewing experience.

“Our brewing philosophy at Felons Brewing Co. has always been guided by a core belief - to brew no-fuss beer with fresh, local ingredients while focusing on balanced and sessionable products that drive sociability and memorable experiences for our customers,” said Champion.

Felons Manly will showcase a selection of their award-winning beers, including Crisp Lager, Galaxy Haze, and Australian Pale Ale, as well as barrel-aged beer, and seasonal and limited-edition brews.

Beyond beers, the drinks list will include a mix of cocktails; Champagne; Australian and international wines; a selection of spirits; and (a must nowadays) non-alcoholic alternatives.

Chef Corey Costelloe, former culinary director of Rockpool Bar and Grill, has designed the Felons Manly menu.

The menu features beef supplied by CopperTree farms along with Clarence River baby octopus with lemon, chilli and oregano; 36-hour fermented pizza dough, kick-started with a splash of Felons Australian Pale Ale before being topped with fresh, local ingredients; and whole butterflied whiting from Coffs Harbour.

Felons will launch a new music program, featuring live jazz, soul, and funk bands most nights, along with Sydney’s top DJs spinning disco, 80s boogie and Afrocentric grooves.

See www.wharfbar.com.au 

Glass half empty: beer sales slump in the heartland

The Netherlands is home to some of the highest-profile beer brands on the planet - among them Heineken, Grolsch and Amstel.

But the Dutch are losing their taste for beer, recent sales figures indicate.

Dutch beer sales have dipped 5.1% at home, the Nederlandse Brouwers organisation reported. The figures for non-alcoholic beers were worse: down 9.4%.  

The Dutch brewers association says the decline in beer sales is due to an 8.4% increase in excise duty on alcoholic beer and an almost 200% increase in consumption tax for non-alcoholic beer, pushing prices up, the drinks business news portal reported.

The association also identified that people also notably drank less due to the poor weather, which led to fewer opportunities for barbecues and drinking in pub gardens.

Nederlandse Brouwers said it was concerned about the sudden drop in non-alcoholic beer consumption in particular and has called upon its government to scrap the tax in a bid to support the industry.

On January 1, 2024, the Dutch government increased consumption tax on non-alcoholic drinks from €8.83 per hectolitre to €26.13 per hectolitre.

“Now that the holiday season has arrived, we hope people will go to the terrace or beach more often to drink a beer together," said Nederlandse Brouwers chairman Fred Teevan.

"Or enjoy the many beautiful beers brewed by Dutch brewers during a barbecue. It would be nice if we finally had a longer period of sunny weather. In any case, breweries are ready to respond to a beautiful summer.”

Image: Kapil Tejwani, Scop.io 

The beer glass designed to make you drink slower

Is this the most absurd invention of the year?

A Japanese brewery has crafted a beer glass that is deliberately designed to make it more difficult to drink from.

The idea is to raise awareness of moderating your intake of alcohol and the design is inspired by an hourglass.

But if you want to chugg down a cold one on a warm day, this is definitely not for you.

Yona Yona Ale designed the glass which delivers a “slower paced” drinking experience.

The idea for the 350ml “Drink Slowly” Yona Yona Ale glass is that by stopping drinkers from being able to neck a beer at speed, it will mean its beers can be enjoyed at a slower pace, and therefore with flavour more appreciated and enjoyed, new portal drinks business reports.

I call phooey. Why take the enjoyment out of drinking?

* Yona Yona Ale is a medium-bodied American Pale Ale-style beer brewed by Yo-Ho Brewing, which is majority owned by Kirin.

In search of a no-alcohol beer you'd actually want to drink

Australians may be at the forefront of the NOLO movement, but I'm afraid I'm not one of them.

The no and low alcohol trend has grown in popularity exponentially, but I have always found an issue with these increasingly popular beverages: the fact that that they usually do not taste anything like beer or wine.

Another problem is that I am against paying $30-$40 for a bottle of no alcohol spirits. I'd rather have a glass of water (maybe with some cordial). Thanks very much.

So when I was offered the chance to sample low-calorie and no-alcohol beers from Son Of A Nun I was not exactly optimistic.

But I took my "mindful drinking” moment and was pleasantly surprised.

I'm not going to be swapping my Peroni or Asahi Dry anytime soon, But the no-alcohol beer actually tasted beer-like, tangy and refreshing, and the low-carb option was actually very decent. I wouldn't have picked it. 

I could certainly see myself having a couple of these if was the dedicated driver - or on a serious diet.




Maybe I could be sold on "moderate consumption without sacrificing on flavour".

The Son Of A Nun Low Carb Lager (4.2% ABV, 90 calories) comes in a six pack for $22 and Zero Alcohol (81 calories) in a four-pack for $11.

They are available at independent retailers with local stockists listed here https://www.sonofanun.com.au/stockists.

So who, exactly, are Australian Beer Company, who make Son Of  A Nun?

The clue is in the address: Yenda, NSW.

Which is the home town of Australia's biggest wine label: [yellowtail].

It turns out that both brands are owned and operated by some of the smartest operators in the drinks business: the Casella family.

Casella Family Brands (CFB) took full ownership of Australian Beer Co. after Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Australia (CCEP) decided to sell its interest in the business two years ago.

“ABCo is an exciting business led by a state-of-the-art brewery, and we welcomed the opportunity to acquire full ownership,” said John Casella.

They are certainly doing a good job with Son of Nun, which might be well worth a try for anyone doing Dry July.

Brewer underlines its environmental credentials

Being eco-friendly is a key driver of sales and Melbourne-based independent Bodriggy Brewing Co. has become the first Victorian brewery - and only the second in Australia - to gain carbon neutral accreditation for both its beers and brewery under the Federal Government’s Climate Active program.

It is a major milestone for the Abbotsford brewer when so many craft breweries are struggling in the current economic climate.

Co-founded in 2016 by the same team behind Collingwood bar Dr Morse, and specialty coffee shop Plug Nickel; Peter Walsh, Jon Costello, Anthony Daniels, and Jessica Morris started Bodriggy as their third joint business venture.

Bodriggy is now stocked nationally by Dan Murphy's, BWS and 500 Coles Liquor stores helping the business average a 20% increase in wholesale sales year-on-year since 2019.

 “We’re really proud to be recognised as the first Victorian, and second national, carbon neutral brewery across everything we do including; our production processes, administrational aspects and of course, our froths," says Walsh.

"Having started Bodriggy eight years ago, not only have we grown up, but our customers have, too.

"We’ve evolved as people with different personal values - ones which place importance on protecting the environment more - and we want to reflect that in all that Bodriggy does.”

Bodriggy built its brewery and brewpub with climate-conscious elements in mind, including; sourcing reclaimed materials for the build, installing solar panels, using serving tanks to minimise keg usage as well as using waste minimising methods in its kitchen.

See www.bodriggy.beer.

# For those playing at home, Capital Brewing in Canberra was the first carbon neutral producer in Australia. 

A new beer for gin lovers

Juniper is a key ingredient of gins, and is not usually associated with beers. 

But the new Coopers Botanic Ale - a limited release brew - takes its pedigree from Coopers Sparkling Ale with the addition of juniper to tempt gin-loving craft beer drinkers.

The juniper adds a floral twist from Australia’s largest independent family-owned brewery.

This naturally conditioned ale has a retro ‘60s design, taking inspiration from the juniper tree with the use of purple and green in the artwork.

Coopers Botanic Ale contains no additives or preservatives and has an ABV of 5.8%. 

The niche market for higher ABV beer in Australia has doubled in size in the past five years, with Coopers Sparkling Ale the most popular beer nationally that sits above 5.5% ABV.

Gin has also been a key driver of recent growth in the spirits market, while a strong crossover exists among gin and craft beer drinkers with 30% of shoppers buying across these two categories.

“Our brewers went for something different with this limited release,” Coopers Brewery general manager Michael Shearer said.

“Coopers Botanic Ale draws on our 19th-century Sparkling Ale recipe while combining novel elements such as juniper sourced from the UK, and Nectaron hops which are a trending variety from New Zealand.

“The result is a tasty and unique addition to Australia’s craft beer category that we know will appeal to existing and new drinkers of Coopers..”

Coopers Botanic Ale will be available in 375ml cans and 50-litre kegs from this month. 

UPDATE: I can confirm after a serious tasting session that this is a very appealing ale with a fresh, zingy vibrancy boosted by the addition of the juniper flavours. A fun partner for a packet of chilli and lime cashews. 

Beer pong: Get behind the scenes at Hobart's new micro brewery

So you are visiting Hobart/nipaluna and have already ticked off de rigueur destinations like MONA and kunanyi/Mt Wellington.

How about a craft brewery tour and tasting at Moo Brew's recently arrived Salamanca mini bar Manky Sally's.

The team at Manky Sally's are now offering a behind-the-scenes peek at the life cycle of a Sally’s brew.

Managing director Lauren Sheppard and head brewer Jack Viney say visitors have been thirsty to know more about Sally’s award-winning brews and how they’re made.

The new tours include a tasting paddle served on a table tennis bat - an homage to Moo Brew founder David Walsh, a lifelong player of ping pong.

‘The crew at Moo are an inventive bunch," says Viney. "And with almost 18 years of beer ideas to work through, the smaller tanks at Sally’s allow us to take risks on brews with unexpected flavour combinations such as Black Forest Stout, Pineapple Guava Sour and Yuzu Green Chilli Gose.

"We’re excited to offer an inside look. Letting people get up close is the next step in Sally’s evolution. We might even crowd-source some ideas."

MD Shepherd chips in: "A motivator for Moo was to create a brew space and drinking experience unlike anything you’d seen before. Rifling through our museum’s warehouses for the fit out, designing a menu offering that complements the beers, and experimenting with the different Sally’s brews, we’ve created a unique destination that celebrates the very best of Moo Brew and MONA."

Tour tickets are $30 per person for a 30 minute tour + tasting paddle of four beers and run from Thursday to Monday, 2:30pm and 4:45pm.

Manky Sally’s is at Salamanca Place, Hobart. See https://moobrew.com.au/pages/manky-sallys

Major changes brewing at Hop Nation

Footscray beer emporium Hop Nation Taproom will unveil a new look at the end of next month.

Last drinks at the original taproom will be poured tomorrow before Hop Nation shuts up shop after eight years - although takeaways will be available - before unveiling a revamped space on Thursday, September 28.

Hop Nation partnered with the hospitality interior design veterans at Studio Y to bring its vision of a Brooklyn warehouse-meets-Melbourne brewery to life.

The previous layout of the taproom will be completely transformed, creating an expansive, open-plan brewhouse.

There will be 17 brews on tap, featuring the full Hop Nation core range, Ray Hard seltzers – including a brand-new limited-release Pink Grapefruit and Lime Seltzer - and seasonal limited-edition brews, including a Hazy Mid, Oat Cream IPA, Grapefruit West Coast IPA and Guava, Dragonfruit and Toasted Coconut Sour.

The team will also be pouring a new release Footscray Draft to celebrate the re-opening.

The new-look taproom will feature a new purpose-built kitchen, where ex-Figlia Pizzeria chef Alex Addams Williams will be heading up Good Pizza. The pizzeria will focus on long-ferment dough, in both thin, and thick, crispy pan varieties.

Alongside food and drinks, the freshly renovated taproom will be hosting events, including an AFL Grand Final party on Saturday, September 30.

There will be Happy Hours on Thursday and Friday from 3-6pm, and a nod to Oktoberfest with three European-style beers on offer – a Rattenhund Classic Pilsner and two limited releases: a Kellerbier and a Czech Pilsner.

Hop Nation was started by former winemakers Duncan Gibson and Sam Hambour in 2015. Their small-batch beers are made using natural ingredients with no fining or pasteurisation and minimal filtration.

Hop Nation will operate Thursday-Sunday 3pm-9:30pm. See hopnation.com.au

The perfect beer for sipping while watching sunsets?

Ever wondered what beer would be perfect for pairing with watching sunsets?

Me neither, but the laidback crew at Shelter Brewing Co. in Busselton, West Australia, have thought long and hard about it.

Brewer Jason Credaro and his team say their latest limited-release beer, the Left Coast IPA, is the ideal drop.

It is available from today - and if you can get yourself to Busselton then there will be free beer at a ‘First Pour’ event with tastings, DJs and giveaways. 

“This beer is an homage to the WA coastline and everything that makes it great - waves, crays, camping in the dunes, red dirt, white sand, the coral coast, tides that move like brumbies and, of course, sunsets over the sea,” said Credaro.

“It’s a clean, crisp IPA; a fresh, new-world style with a punchy pineapple core and passionfruit, guava and pine undertones.

“It’s a very sessionable beer at a sensible-ish ABV, a beer as laid back as a night around the campfire in the dunes.”

The Left Coast IPA First Pour will be at Shelter Brewing Co. on Friday, August 11, from 6pm and is a free event.

For those that can’t make it down to Busselton, it will be tapped at venues across Perth at the same time.

# Shelter is a brewery and family-friendly venue on the Busselton Foreshore with seven core beers: Pale Ale, Extra Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, Summer Sour, Red Ale, Lager and Jetty Jump Pale.

See www.shelterbrewing.com.au

Coopers goes full throttle with new Vintage Ale

Coopers Brewery has updated its Vintage Ale packaging to reflect the brewery’s new brand design ahead of the 2023 seasonal ale release.

Each year, the Coopers brewing team creates a vintage premium quality craft-style beer. 

The limited-edition Coopers 2023 Vintage Ale features American hop Talus, which provides intense fruity and floral flavours. In keeping with the heritage of Vintage Ale, this year’s release is a full-bodied, extra-strong ale sitting at alcohol level of 7.5% ABV. 

So not a drop for the faint hearted. 

Coopers managing director and chief brewer, Dr Tim Cooper, said the 2023 Vintage Ale continues the brewery’s tradition of producing popular annual seasonal releases.

“Australian drinkers have a real thirst for seasonal brews, and we expect loyal Coopers drinkers will be exceptionally pleased with this year’s Vintage Ale release,” he said.

“A rich, balanced and full-bodied ale, the 2023 vintage drinks well immediately, and if stored under cellar conditions will evolve and develop to become more complex over time.

“The flavour hero of the 2023 Vintage is Talus, a dual-purpose American hop that delivers bold aromas of citrus and berries, with grapefruit, stone fruit, coconut, and pine on the palate.

“As with every Coopers Vintage release, only a limited number of kegs and cartons are available, so drinkers should get in early to ensure they don’t miss out.:

Coopers 2023 Vintage Ale is the 23rd in a series of Vintage Ales that commenced in 1998.

It will be available in liquor outlets from late July in 355mL bottles, six-packs and 24-pack cartons. Vintage Ale will also be available for a limited time on tap at selected venues around the country.

Talk about a dream: Brewing up a storm in Orange

Orange in Central Western NSW is known as the home of several of Australia's best cool-climate wine producers.

But when you've had your full of wine you can also visit a new taproom and bar with 14 different brews on offer.

Badlands Brewery was established in 2010 by long-time home-brewer, Jon Shiner and has now opened a new spot to enjoy beers with food in their own location in the centre of town.

All Badlands Brewery’s core beers are made only with malted wheat and barley, water, yeast and hops and are unfiltered and free of preservatives and additives.

Badlands Brewery & Taproom has 14 taps as well as local wines, tasting paddles, growler fills, brewery tours, merchandise, food trucks and live music, Destination NSW reports.

The 45-minute tours offer a behind the scenes look at the brewing process and the price includes two complimentary beers.

"We prefer to concentrate on the beer so have partnered with some amazing local and regional food producers," says Shiner.

"Hot food is available every evening and all day at weekends and we serve delicious Indian food courtesy of our neighbourhood Indian restaurant The Upperhouse.

"Vishal and team have created a custom beer-matched menu just for us. Enjoy items such as chicken naan tacos, chilli paneer and masala prawns."

Badlands is open Wednesday to Sunday. For more details see www.badlandsbrewery.com.au/taproom

Major development brewing for Coopers

Construction of Coopers Brewery’s $50 million development is now underway with ground broken on the site earlier this week.

The official sod-turning event marked the start of a construction phase that will see a new world-class visitor centre, microbrewery and whisky distillery unveiled at the home of Australia’s largest independent family-owned brewery in Regency Park, Adelaide.

Coopers has appointed Australian construction company Built to deliver the new development.

Coopers Brewery Managing Director Dr Tim Cooper said there has been an overwhelmingly positive public response to the development since plans were announced in April this year.

“This is an exciting expansion for Coopers, and represents a significant investment for the company, with an emphasis on maximising Australian input throughout the process,” Cooper said.

“As a proud Australian company, we hope to create a welcoming experience for local, national and international visitors, while positioning our brewery for the future.

“The feedback we’ve received from Coopers fans near and far is gratifying and their vote of confidence in this major investment is much appreciated.

“This marks a major milestone and our team is excited to see our vision start to become a reality.

“We look forward to working with Built and all our project partners to deliver a highly unique and immersive facility.”

“This project will help bolster job creation providing in excess of 500 onsite local South Australian jobs during the construction phase and many more in the manufacturing of material prior to site delivery,” Built state general manager Chris Bate said.

“Our highly experienced local team are looking forward to delivering a high-quality result that both the Coopers team and the people of South Australia can be proud of for many years to come.”

The Coopers development will include a restaurant and bar, outdoor plaza dining, a dedicated tasting room, interactive history display, microbrewery, whisky distillery and underground stillage for whisky maturation.

Construction is expected to be completed by May, 2024.

Founded in 1862, Coopers Brewery is a sixth-generation family company.

Turning Japanese: new Sapporo manga pack unleashed

Japanese beers are very much in vogue with Australian drinkers and Sapporo’s limited-edition manga packaging has hit the shelves at major liquor retailers in Australia following a successful trial.

Sapporo Premium Beer is distributed by Coopers Brewery in Australia and New Zealand.

The ‘Refined by Rebellion’ manga campaign features iimagery which tells the story of Sapporo founder Seibei Nakagawa in a series of Japanese artworks.

Coopers national marketing manager Kate Dowd said: “Sapporo continues to grow in the Australian market, cementing its position as one of the top 10 international beer brands sold in Australia.

“With strong sales momentum and increasing consumer interest in the brand, now was the time to bring Sapporo’s brand story to life for all drinkers across the country in time for the festive season.

“We’ve trialled the manga cartons and asked beer drinkers what they thought.

“Their response was clear; Sapporo’s manga design is unique, eye-catching and authentic. In a competitive market, Sapporo is standing out.”

Sapporo’s packaging release coincides with a national outdoor and digital advertising campaign.

Limited-edition Sapporo manga designs are now available in cartons and six packs.

See https://sapporobeer.com.au/

Why it is your patriotic duty to hit your local pub

Today is the perfect day to enjoy a quiet brew or two.

Australian beer drinkers are being encouraged to raise a glass today to recognise their favourite drop on International Beer Day.

Beer is an Australian success story with 85% of beers sold in Australia using hops grown here, made here and consumed here, generating $16 billion every year for the Australian economy.

In a typical year brewers would purchase around $500 million of agricultural products and directly support 3,000 farm jobs.

The new Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has said that “Australia must be a country that makes things,” says John Preston, CEO of the Brewers Association of Australia. 

"We believe there is no finer example of this than the brewing sector.

"It’s been a challenging time for the Australian brewing and hospitality sectors. Australian beer is the key product for most pubs round the country and our hospitality sector is still rebuilding after the pandemic.

"And as cost of living pressures hit the hip pocket the fact that the beer tax has just gone up by the biggest amount in over 30 years means its more difficult for people to head out and enjoy a beer at their local.

“International Beer Day is a great day to get down to your local for a meal with the family or a beer with your mates and celebrate this wonderful industry.

“Celebrating Australian beer is also about celebrating our farmers who produce the barley and hops that make our beer so special and our hospitality sector which does so much to bring us together."

Image: Claire Crayford, Scop.io